January 15, 2025
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Illinois American Water to increase rates by about $16 per month

Water bill expected to climb in Streator area

By Derek Barichello
Work is expected to begin this month as Illinois American Water announced it will invest $4 million to replace more than 1.5 miles of water main throughout Streator’s water system.

The Illinois Commerce Commission issued an order Thursday approving new water and wastewater base rates for Illinois American Water, increasing the monthly water service bill for the typical residential customer using 3,500 gallons per month about $16 per month. (Derek Barichello - dbarichello@shawmedia.com)

The Illinois Commerce Commission issued an order Thursday approving new water and wastewater base rates for Illinois American Water, increasing the monthly water service bill for the typical residential customer using 3,500 gallons per month about $16 per month.

The rate increase is driven primarily by $557 million in capital investments in 2024 and 2025, the company said in a recent news release.

Illinois American Water serves the Streator area.

The rate change request was filed on Jan. 25.

“By making prudent, ongoing necessary investments to maintain and upgrade our water and wastewater systems, Illinois American Water is committed to the safety and reliability of our water and wastewater systems in the communities we serve,” said Illinois American Water president Rebecca Losli in a news release.

The new rates will be effective Jan. 1. The approved increase will result in a total annualized revenue increase of about $110.6 million and will support investment in water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the state, including the replacement, lining and installation of about 44 miles of aging water and wastewater pipelines. Investments also include upgrading water and wastewater treatment plants to maintain and meet regulatory compliance, storage tanks, wells, pumping stations, fire hydrants, meters and manholes across the state and ongoing replacement of customer lead service lines.

The rate order covers $421 million in water system infrastructure improvements and $136 million in wastewater system infrastructure improvements to be made over two years, from January 2024 to December 2025.

The amount of the rate change customers will experience will vary among the company’s operating districts.

In addition, the ICC approved Illinois American Water’s request to expand the income-based discount tariff. Qualifying income-eligible customers will need to apply for the discount and provide the required income information when the expanded program is implemented.

Information about the program will be communicated to customers. Illinois American Water also offers customer assistance through the company’s non-income-based H2O Help to Others program, payment plans and budget billing. Go to https://amwater.com/ilaw/ for more information.

Customers will receive information about the new rates on their Illinois American Water bill.

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